The protein O-glycosylation pathway in Neisseria meningitidis. Neisseria meningitidis causes bacterial meningitis, a sudden and severe disease of particular concern to children in both the developed and developing worlds. This project will contribute to an understanding of how these bacteria evade the immune system by modifying the proteins displayed on their surface, which will help in the development of a vaccine.
Chemical inhibition: a new approach to investigate the role of a key protease, CtHtrA, from Chlamydia trachomatis. Infertility in women frequently results from infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. This project will develop an inhibitor compound against a important protein from this bacteria. This will establish a new scientific approach to study Chlamydia trachomatis. This project will also contribute to the development of new treatments for infertility.